Counting Squirrels
The community that counts squirrels together stays together.
It would be irresponsible of me not to share this with you.
If we were sitting next to each other having a conversation, the odds are good I would bring this up.
I would go to great lengths to bend the conversation in the direction of having an excuse to bring this up.
I wasn’t going to bring this up, BUT a guiding principle behind THE ENTHUSIAST is that joy is valuable. It’s worth sharing EVEN WHEN IT IS EMBARRASSING.
This is why today’s topic is squirrels.
Do you know about the squirrel census?
Keren Landman wrote a wonderful piece - “The Unexpected Joy of the Squirrel Census” . She details the discovery and delight of squirrel counting in Atlanta. Yes, squirrel counting. I know that sounds ridiculous and, yes, itis. Which is one of the many things I so love about it.
“These people had gathered to celebrate what looked like a community science project, and indeed, plenty of math and methodology flashed before us that night. But there was more to this odd little pageant, something warm and generous. I wasn’t a part of it, but somehow I felt invited to be.
These were my kind of weirdos. Maybe I would like it here, after all.”
The Inman Park Squirrel Census was an inventive, community-driven project combining nature, science, and a playful approach to gathering data. The project brought people of all ages together in a shared, good-natured mission while also helping bring greater care and attention to local nature.
People have composed songs out of unique squirrel chatter. The culture around it has inspired beautiful data posters:
There are pins, shirts, and other merch, of course. Most of all, there’s actual helpful research they generated along the way resulting in some real environmental impact.
I am drawn to the Squirrel Census for many reasons.
1. Squirrels
Here are 25 squirrels I drew last week.
They make terrible models. They fidget and jerk. They’re just so … squirrely.
My west Tennessee backyard is full of squirrels. They’ve been a great annoyance at times, but are mostly fascinating to have around. I’ve imagined stories for them and conversations with them, but never thought to count them.
Keren writes about the impact of her thinking about squirrels:
“When they foraged, tussled, attacked, or gave chase, it tugged a little at our ribcages, and those pangs made us — made me — care more about the place where they lived. It led me to see my neighborhood through the eyes of a squirrel, as a haven rich with resources and hiding places — and myself as a steward of their home, accountable for keeping it safe, quiet, and green.”
2. Community
Look. We need each other. We just do.
It’s not easy to bring people together. We have to be disrupted from our daily routine. We need interruptions. We need regular reminders of how much we need each other. Whether it’s live concerts, theater, games, or other gatherings, we need playful ways of coming together and engaging with the world. Sometimes, though, we need a break from our normal programming. We need unplanned, delightful disruptors.
We need Chesse Ball Man.
A large gathering occurred in Central Park after a man set up flyers saying he would be eating an entire jar of cheese balls. So many people. So much cheering. So many cheese balls.
Absolutely absurd.
Absurd times call for absurd amounts of love. If you’ve been here for a while you might remember my Absurd Manifesto. It begins with: “Enough with business as usual. It is time for the unusual.” I believe this even more today.
In a world burdened by fear, division, and so many complex problems to solve, it can be tempting to imagine the solutions are equally heavy or complicated. What if, though, the way forward is ridiculous? Maybe the key to rediscovering our shared humanity is by counting squirrels and eating cheese balls. It’s not the full answer, but it’s at least a start.
We live together on a giant rock hurtling through space and act like it’s a normal Thursday. It’s helpful when creative people disrupt us from our default mode and return us to delight. A shock to our systems, these kinds of absurd acts generously provide something nobody asked for but we all desperately need.
We can spend a lot of time waiting for those spontaneous invitations to arrive. Maybe, though, we’re the ones to be sending the invites out:
“You’re invited to rediscover our shared humanity through a seemingly frivolous experience that is actually much deeper and speaks to the beautiful ways our existence is woven together in the fabric of space and time.”
Or you can try it with less words:
“Want to count squirrels?”
This great project from my friend CJ brought people together around battle rapping, but with compliments: Rattle Bapping
A big book tour is happening this fall! Interested in booking something?
Good stuff! Thank you, Brad!
Love this!! We count our squirrels in the backyard!!
We sent out an invite to friends to help take down some dead trees for our neighbor. One, then 2, 3…. Ended up with 5 people- guys with chainsaws always a good “pull” AND we got the trees felled, wood for campfires and fireplaces…and new friendships!! Awesome time!? Community building at its core! 2 neighbors had not officially met…they have lived 5 houses away for 20 years until this event! Love bringing people together especially in service to others! And we painted Kindness rocks for our box at the end of the driveway to give/trade or hide!